MARVIN E. BROWN

At the age of 82, Marvin Edward Brown passed over peacefully Thursday evening surrounded by family and friends at Kitty Askins Hospice into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ after a lengthy bout of illnesses and failing health.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Seymour Funeral Home, with the Rev. Greg Stancil and the Rev. Phyllis Vail officiating. Burial will follow in Edmundson Cemetery.

Known affectionately as Ed, he was born April 2, 1928, on the family farm at Edmundson's Crossroads and was a lifelong native of Wayne County and the Antioch Community.

A veteran of both the Army and Navy, Ed was a retired lifelong farmer and one of the last of the great sharecroppers, who preceded modern corporate farmers. Also a well-known tobacco auctioneer, Ed grew and sold the time honored crop for more than 47 years across the Carolinas, the Virginias, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri.

Ed loved the outdoors and enjoyed his expertise at raising bird dogs and deer hounds and as he put it, "spent many a fine day in God's beautiful outdoors" with his closest friends and pals.

Ed held dear to his heart family and the simple things of this life that mean so much, but are so often forgotten in this modern world; spending time with elders and the ailing; slowing down to enjoy a well cooked meal; and taking the time to listen or offer advice.

Ed, or Daddy, was a polished world-class southern storyteller and loved to hold camp, and share his fondest memories of days gone by or spin the tale of a great hunt, known to possibly grow a teeny bit with each retelling, only adding to its credibility and lovability.

He adored all his family, saying, "when you lose your family, you've lost it all," and loved life itself, never taking for granted each day he rose to see the sun rising or a twilight he was allowed to witness fall.

Ed is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Linda Brown; sons, John Christopher and Whitney Brown and Tim Moore; daughter Bonnie Moore; his adoring grandchildren, Jason Moore, Justine Barnes, Alaina and Tori Moore, Courtney Barnes and Riley "R.C." Moore; his two cherished dogs, Scooter and Roxy of the home; and a large host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and the special ones he referred to as his "pals."

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eva Cornegay Edmundson Brown, Marvin Patrick Brown, uncle and adoptive father, Les Edmundson; two infant siblings, James Harold and Sally Susan Brown; and brother, Henry Jarvis Brown. Most recently, Ed also lost his beloved son, Glenn Edwin Brown, Dec. 17, 2007.

Ed was very appreciative of all his caretakers, and held a special place in his heart for Dr. Sam McLamb, Daddy's "girlfriend," nurse Denise, Dr. Waheed Akhtar and the staffs at Wayne Memorial, Pitt memorial, Wake Med and the Durham VA Clinic.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ministry of Ed's home church, Antioch Free Will Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home, and other times at his home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.